What My Railways Bill Amendment Means for Thatcham Level Crossing

I am continuing to push for improvements at Thatcham Level Crossing. In January, I visited the site with Network Rail to see first-hand the challenges people face daily, from long barrier closures to traffic congestion, accessibility issues, and safety concerns. It was an invaluable opportunity to raise the real-world impact the crossing has on families, emergency services, and local businesses.

Alongside this local work, I’ve also taken further action in Parliament. I have tabled an amendment to the Railways Bill to address the worst-performing level crossings across the country, including our very own level crossing here in Thatcham.

The Railways Bill sets out wide-ranging reforms, including the creation of Great British Railways. While the Bill focuses on structural changes, it’s crucial that local, everyday issues, like chronic level crossing delays, are not overlooked.

My amendment would require Great British Railways to:

• Carry out an annual review of high-delay level crossings

• Properly analyse the local economic and social impact caused by severe congestion

• Seriously consider replacing each high-delay level crossing with an alternative means of crossing

  
  

Delays at level crossings aren’t just inconvenient. They affect local economies, slow emergency services, limit accessibility for disabled residents, and disrupt the quality of life for whole communities. Embedding this review process into law ensures that crossings like Thatcham cannot be ignored year after year. It creates a clear requirement to assess the problem, understand its impact, and actively consider long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.

I know this amendment isn’t a silver bullet, and it won’t deliver change overnight. But it is a practical step that allows me to use my position as your MP to keep pressure on decision-makers and ensure Thatcham’s issues are recognised at a national level.

I will continue to do everything I can, both locally and in Westminster, to push for safer, more reliable solutions for Thatcham Level Crossing.